The nave piers are of alternating forms. The one is founded on the circular column, but has not only the shafted pilaster at the back, as those in the transepts, but two shafts, to carry an extra arch-order, in front, and a group of three running up to the roof (Fig. 262). The other form of pier is like that at Winchester, with the addition of an extra order, and has the triple shaft running up to the roof, as that last described (Fig. 263). [Illustration: Fig. 262. Fig. 263. Nave Piers, Ely Cathedral.] The triforium piers are very similar, though lighter, excepting that the round pillar has lateral shafts to carry the sub-arcuation. All the orders are moulded. How far the general plan was laid down from the first by Symeon is not known, but it differs from other cathedral and abbey churches in having a magnificent transept at the west end. Whether what we call the foundations of towers at Winchester may have been a foreshadowing of the arrangement, I cannot judge; but from its extraordinary scale (far exceeding that of western towers in general), I think it not unlikely. There was also some distant resemblance to this in the façade at Bury. Though, judging from the number of its bays, one would think the size of Ely and Winchester not very different, there is a disparity in the essential scale, which causes it to fall far short of the dimensions of Walkelyn’s church. The widths of naves from centre to centre of piers are respectively, 42 feet 6 inches and 37 feet 6 inches; and that of the bays, similarly measured, are about 22 feet and 19 feet 9 inches. The nave is of thirteen bays, besides the western transept. These parts were added in the course of the twelfth century, making the whole length (not measuring the west porch added in another style), about 420 feet, the transept measuring about 190 feet in length. There was, of course, a central tower as usual, but there was a second tower of great size, and probably of greater height in the middle of the western transept, which transept was flanked at its angles, with vast polygonal stair-turrets, and had large and noble apsidal chapels projecting from its eastern sides. These parts are in the Transitional style, which I do not touch upon during this session; but I may here say that, whether projected from the first or not, a more magnificent addition to the usual features of a great cathedral or abbey church, can hardly be imagined, though what its effect was when the central tower existed, and the western one was crowned by a vast leaded spire, one can hardly now appreciate. Abbot Symeon’s tower had the same radical weakness with that built by his brother, and though it lasted longer (having no Rufus beneath it), it at length gave way, and was succeeded by the remarkable structure now forming the unique centre of the glorious temple.